BREAKING THE CYCLE OF CHRONIC DISEASE BEGINS HOW EARLY? Based on previous posts, this shouldn’t be a trick question. The answer is before pregnancy. In this study, women who gained excess weight during pregnancy had children that, at 9 years of age, had pretty much EVERY risk factor for heart disease elevated. A literal time bomb that will explode decades before it exploded for the parents. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we need to stand up for the health of our children by taking better care of ourselves during pregnancy. This goes for BOTH the dad and the mom. The decisions you make today are either helping your child grow up healthier, or you are loading a bullet in the chamber. Decide. You can’t sit on the fence.